Facebook Adding Reporting, Password Features to Mobile

Facebook on Monday starting rolling out two privacy features to its mobile app, including the ability to re-set a password and notify others about bullying.

Facebook on Monday starting rolling out two privacy features to its mobile app, including the ability to re-set a password and notify others about bullying.

In conjunction with the March White House Conference on Bullying Prevention, Facebook added a "social reporting" tool that allows users to ask someone to remove an offensive item or notify someone they trust if they are the victim of bullying or online harassment. When reporting a photo of yourself you consider objectionable, there is now the option to select "I don't like this photo" or "This photo is harassing or bullying me."

In a blog post, Facebook engineer Dan Muriello said the response to "social reporting" has been "great," and almost 70 percent of reported photos have been removed by the owner. This week, Facebook started testing the feature on its mobile app and it will be added to all mobile devices "over the coming months," Muriello said.

The social-networking site is also testing the ability for people to change their passwords on a mobile device.

"You can now choose the email address where you want to receive recovery links, and we are offering additional ways to confirm your identity. We will roll this out slowly to gather feedback from people as they use this," Muriello wrote.

"As more people use mobile devices, we want all of our security tools available everywhere you use Facebook," he said.

In May, Facebook announced a two-factor authentication system whereby the social-networking site required users to enter a code they receive via text message. The system, dubbed Login Approvals, prevented users from signing in unless they could provide that code and authenticate their device. In October, the company added a security feature that provided users with a temporary password for use on public computers.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
More »